Skills that employers look for in business, and how to improve them

Skills that employers look for in business, and how to improve them

In the business world, constantly improving yourself and your skills is essential. Business skills can be divided into soft and hard or interpersonal and technical, depending on how you want to classify them.

Regardless, employers look for both kinds of skills in their new hires. Employers want to know that their new hires are capable, intelligent people who can perform their job well.

However, many people who don’t have business experience may not even know what kinds of skills employers look for in their employees, let alone how to improve them.

Understanding business skills

Business skills refer to the knowledge and abilities that make a person successful in the workplace. These skills are necessary for managers and employees because they affect how smoothly the company runs daily.

A leader who is skilled at listening to others has better relationships with coworkers, which makes it easier to motivate them and delegate tasks more efficiently. You can gain these skills by attending workshops or seminars or taking courses from an accredited institution.

With that in mind, you can enroll in a Suffolk MBA online course, which teaches both theory and practical skills related to management. This course will help you fast-track your competitive edge and equip you with valuable tools for career advancement.

You will develop strategic agility, improve your analytical reasoning, gain global awareness, and improve your foundation for business success upon completion.

Skills that employers look for in business

When you’re looking to land that next big job in business, you must show employers that you have specific vital skills to help you succeed.

As the field of business grows, so does the number of skilled professionals in the workforce. Because of this, your job-seeking abilities are more important than ever if you want to secure employment in your industry of choice.

Are you finding it hard to pinpoint what employers are looking for in you? If so, don’t worry as we will provide an overview of the most important skills that employers look for and ways to improve them.

Communication skills

Employers will want to see that you are good at communicating with people. Communication skills are essential, especially when you are trying to work with clients and partners.

You need to put your thoughts into words and make other people understand them, which means being able to listen and speak. Communication also involves understanding what the other person wants from you, anticipating their needs, and responding accordingly.

For instance, suppose that a customer complains about a product or service. It would be best if you did not try to solve the problem by giving them more of the same product or service without addressing their initial dissatisfaction.

Effective communication can lead to solid relationships with customers and coworkers, so making an effort with this skill can lead to career success.

You can practice communication using various methods, including assertiveness training, leadership development programs, conflict resolution seminars, and public speaking workshops.

Leadership

Leadership skills are an essential part of the business world. These skills will help you organize and execute any task efficiently and make decisions that keep your team on track.

As a leader, you must be able to motivate your team and provide encouragement when they need it. You also need to be able to teach them valuable skills they don’t already know so that they can grow with the company.

For example, if your team needs to learn how to use a new system, you’ll have to show them how before handing over the reins. In addition, leaders should always take responsibility for their mistakes and admit when they’re wrong. Doing so is honest and demonstrates self-awareness and humility, two traits that make great leaders.

Finally, as a leader, you should be skilled at giving feedback to your team members. If one employee does something well, let them know. By providing positive reinforcement regularly, you’ll encourage the behaviors you want from them in the future.

Time management

Time management is vital for every company in order to keep things running smoothly. Business owners have to be able to allocate the time and resources needed for their work.

Employers want individuals who can multitask, meet deadlines, and stay organized while working under pressure and with little supervision. Managers must also prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities among employees without micromanaging them.

There is always a need to organize tasks and projects so that team members can complete them on time. An individual with this skill will have excellent organizational skills and be able to multitask efficiently.

They will also be great at following through on deadlines and efficiently handling interruptions. For instance, if you work in an office environment, you might need to ensure that everyone is working on their tasks while keeping track of all the different projects.

No matter what field you’re in, managing your time well will put you head and shoulders above others who lack those abilities.

Problem-solving skills

Employers want to know your problem-solving skills to gauge how you would solve an issue accurately. They want to see if you can stay calm and think logically when faced with a challenge.

This skill is vital in customer service positions where an employee needs to listen and empathize with upset customers while also thinking of a solution. You should listen to what the customer says without interrupting them or making any assumptions about what they want.

Keep in mind that employers may have different definitions of what constitutes good problem-solving skills. For some people, good problem-solving means thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions.

Others may be looking for someone who can respond calmly and rationally in high-pressure situations. There’s no correct answer, but it is helpful to identify the solution you’re most comfortable providing before going into an interview.

Strong work ethic

A strong work ethic is one of the most important skills you can have when looking for a job. This skill will help you put your best foot forward and show dedication to the task.

The willingness to stay late or come in early shows employers that you’re willing to go above and beyond what they expect. You’ll be more likely to land an excellent job if employers know that they won’t need to cover for you or check up on your progress.

They also want to see that you understand how a business operates and can get tasks done efficiently with minimal supervision. A good work ethic also means being dependable, reliable, responsible, self-disciplined, and respectful of others.

Employers notice when you take pride in your work and deliver quality results. Showing up on time daily and getting along well with coworkers is just as crucial as completing assignments on time.

Project management skills

Project management is coordinating and overseeing projects, which can be internal or external to the company. The project manager oversees the work and is responsible for ensuring the completion of project tasks within budget, on time, and with the desired quality.

They must keep stakeholders informed of progress and manage conflict when problems arise. Project managers typically have a background in business administration, computer science, engineering or related fields.

When you possess project management skills, you know how to coordinate and oversee projects from start to finish. You will learn to communicate with your team members and clients and stay focused on what needs doing.

In addition, you will make sure that everything stays under budget, on schedule, and up to quality standards so that the project can succeed. That way, you won’t miss deadlines, overspend, or fall short of requirements.

Financial management skills

Businesses need money to operate, so managing funds is essential. This includes knowing when to spend and when not, as well as how much money is available.

Financial management skills are a must-have for any business owner. You must know how much money you have, where it’s coming from and where it’s going.

You also have to know when you should or shouldn’t be spending money or making investments. Understanding your business’s financial statements will help you stay on top as your company grows.

Knowing what these statements show will help you find out if your company needs additional financing or what may be driving down sales. Financial management skills are an absolute necessity.

It can be hard to wrap your head around all the numbers at first, but understanding them will give you a clearer picture of your company’s health.

Digital literacy

Businesses rely on data to make decisions, and employees need to be able to navigate the web and use different digital tools. To be a successful businessperson today, it’s essential to have basic computer literacy, knowledge of software, and social media savvy.

These skills allow you to find information quickly and share your insights. For example, an accountant might need to analyze a company’s financial reports online or identify new opportunities.

With digital literacy skills, you can complete tasks more efficiently and effectively, save time when researching ideas or sources, and help coworkers get answers to their questions faster.

Whether you’re managing a website or running analytics for the company, having these skills will set you apart from other candidates who don’t have them.

Tips to improve your business skills

No matter where you are in your business career, there’s always room to improve yourself and add more value to your bottom line. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do that will help improve your business skills instantly and at no cost to you. Read on for quick tips to improve your business skills.

Research your industry

If you want to improve your business skills, it’s crucial to stay up to date with the industry. It is essential to know what you’re getting into before starting a business, and understanding what’s going on will put you at an advantage over your competition.

You’ll be able to spot trends early so that you can plan accordingly. Researching your industry also gives you knowledge about how other businesses are faring.

This allows you to take preemptive steps to avoid problems that others have experienced or are currently experiencing.

Network with other professionals

One of the best ways to improve your business skills is to network with other professionals in your field. You can do this through LinkedIn, Twitter, or by attending industry conferences.

The resources you gain from networking will help you stay up to date on what is happening in the industry and will also help you find mentors who can teach you the ropes.

Constantly strive for improvement

Striving for improvement is essential in all aspects of your life. For example, if you are an entrepreneur, you want to constantly strive to improve your business skills to stay on top of the game and outsmart your competition. That way, you can always be one step ahead of the game.

Understand marketing strategies

Marketing is an essential component of a successful business. Marketing aims to get the word out about your product or service.

A good marketing strategy will include online and offline efforts such as attending networking events, advertising on social media platforms, and producing eye-catching ads.

Learning all you can about how to market yourself, including how each platform works best for your company to improve your business skills, is essential.

Take a business skills course or class

One of the best ways to improve your business skills is by taking a course or class. Many colleges and universities offer classes for entrepreneurship, marketing and other business topics. You can find many free online courses if you don’t have time for a formal course.

Final thoughts

In today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to have various skills to ensure that you can find work. These business skills will allow you to stand out from the competition and land the right job.

Skills such as leadership, people management and project management will provide a strong resume and a valuable skillset that many companies need.

Some people go back to school to get additional skills, while others go through on-the-job training at their companies. The most important thing is to develop skills that meet your personal needs and future goals.

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Things NOT to do after a work injury in Cedar Rapids

An unfortunate work injury in Cedar Rapids can leave you grappling with many things at once. While you would expect to get the workers’ compensation benefits soon, that may not happen. You should understand that these benefits are paid by the insurance company and not the employer. As such, you have to be careful when dealing with the claims adjuster, and it is best to engage a Cedar Rapids workers’ comp lawyer to understand the process better. Here are some things you should NOT do after a work injury.

Evading your duty

Just as your employer is required to pay for workers’ compensation insurance, you must inform the employer of your work injury within 90 days. If you fail to do so, your claim could be in jeopardy. Check with your lawyer how you can do that by adhering to the norms.

Finding your doctor

The insurance carrier has the right to choose the medical care you get, and you are expected to comply. If you find that the location is unreasonably far or you are not happy with the doctor, you can file a Petition for Alternate Medical Care. However, you should not skip seeing the doctor assigned by the insurance company.

Posting on your social media

Your work injury is not something to be discussed on social media. The insurance company will do all that it takes to deny or delay your claim, and therefore, anything that you do can go against you. It may seem small, but do not post anything related to the injury or your condition on your social handles.

Not following medical directions

After the initial review, your doctor will share notes and recommendations that you are expected to follow. If you don’t follow the medical directions or do something that you have been advised again, you may end up in a soup with your claim.

Not keeping an accident file

You are expected to keep an accident file, even if your lawyer has all the details. From your medical bills and treatment expenses to the work notes shared by the doctor and other losses that you have endured, you need to have complete records. Your lawyer may want to get some details later, and it is best to be prepared.

Final word

Check online to find a reliable and known workers’ compensation lawyer for your claim, and for most cases, there is no upfront fee.

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What can I do with an engineering management degree?

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There’s no getting around the fact that engineering is an expansive field. So, it is not unusual for someone to wonder where they would end up after earning a degree in engineering management.

Before we delve in-depth into the possible career paths of an engineering management graduate, let’s first define what a master’s degree in such a field is about.

In the simplest terms, a master’s degree in Engineering Management will teach you engineering and leadership skills. A Master’s degree in Engineering Management will help you prepare for managerial roles in engineering and related industries such as construction and architecture.

Many motivated professionals that pursue an engineering management degree have already gained considerable work experience as engineers. However, there are some students who will take this degree program to build on the knowledge from their bachelor’s degree.

Regardless, doing so allows students to narrow their focus areas while expanding their management and leadership opportunities in the job market Unlike other engineering fields, engineering management empowers students to establish industrial engineering skills and implement this expertise within a management context.

So, engineering management graduates are not just creators. They are also leaders, business experts and strategists in their respective job sectors. Speaking of job sectors, individuals with a strong background and a master’s degree in Engineering Management can work in various fields.

These include technical consulting, manufacturing management, logistics and chemical process consulting to name a few. Other than that, here are some career choices you may want to consider with your master’s degree in Engineering Management:

Career Choices After Engineering Management Degree

1. Project Engineers

Project engineers manage and lead teams for the duration of a particular project. A skilled project engineer needs to understand engineering principles related to a project’s design and functionality.

They also need to have the ability to lead unified teams effectively in addition to their Master’s degree in Engineering Management. It is, however, worth noting that the duties of a project engineer will vary depending on the field he or she is working on. For example, if you are a project engineer working in electrical engineering, your job will most likely involve optimizing electric vehicle speeds.

This is exactly the opposite for project engineers in civil engineering, who will most likely focus their attention on managing the development of a new bridge. Either way, working as a project engineer can be financially rewarding. According to Salary.com, US project engineers can earn up to around $88,000 annually depending on experience and qualifications.

2. Construction Manager

A construction manager career is also on the horizon for a Master’s graduate in Engineering Management. Usually, construction managers handle all the aspects related to the construction of a building. They will supervise and manage communications between engineers, building code managers, architects, construction crews and other professionals that help construct buildings.

A construction manager also designs and executes innovative solutions and faster processes that can resolve worksite obstacles and speed up processes. Their duties will also include ensuring that the project will adhere to government regulations. A construction manager will also create and revise comprehensive budget plans and interpret technical documents for other involved professionals.

3. Engineering Operations Manager

Engineering operations managers handle mechanical or electrical maintenance activities while supervising operations in the workhouse. An engineering operation manager will work with and supervise contractors and engineers in carrying out projects and daily activities.

They will also be in charge of building innovative project ideas, budgeting for projects and training their engineering teams. Depending on the company, duties may also include supervising work progress to ensure that teams meet deadlines and activities are carried out according to safety rules.

According to Glassdoor, an engineering operations manager can earn an average base pay of $96,540 with additional pay worth over $18,000.

4. Architectural Project Manager

The role of an architectural project manager is to manage the building and design of an architectural project. They will serve as a liaison between the construction workers and the architect or firm.

They will also be responsible for tracking all phases of the building process and consulting with the site project manager, the architect and other professionals about the progress of the project.

Other duties may also include maintaining project files such as material samples, drawings and correspondence.

5. Applications Engineer

Applications engineers are responsible for designing and improving software tools. They conduct required assessments with clients to understand unique project goals and ensure successful implementation. Most applications engineers are employed by application development firms with numerous clients from several industries

The duties of an applications engineer also involve providing technical support, hardware upgrades and making sales recommendations. With a Master’s degree in Engineering Management, applications engineers will be armed with the right skills for upselling and logging all technical requirements needed to reach peak system performance. 

Is engineering management a rewarding career option?

Becoming an engineer is a long and demanding journey. So, it’s not common for someone to ask whether a career in engineering management is worth all the stress.

The reality is you are the only one that can answer that. Challenges are always a fact of life, and an engineering management degree is ripe with them. Engineering is one of the most innovative industries that future-focused professionals join in the hopes of solving real-world issues.

As an engineer, you will be responsible for deciding and executing technical objectives for your organization’s projects. That sounds challenging. Right? If you need some encouragement, here’s why

Engineering Management a Rewarding Career:

1. Creates More Career Opportunities

As you may have read above, the options for a master’s graduate in Engineering Management are endless.

From engineering sales and marketing and project management to senior management across many different types of organizations and industries, a degree in engineering management opens an entire range of opportunities.

This can be an excellent benefit considering the sudden market shifts in today’s job marketplace where people are getting laid off left and right due to budget constraints.

When you generate more opportunities, you can feel more secure in your position in the future job market.

2. Helps You Become a Leader

Engineering projects are usually complex even when they are on a modest scale. Many technical specialties and disciplines are needed to achieve the desired results and ensure a satisfactory level of reliability.

To bring these unique perspectives together and keep them aligned with organizational goals, engineering projects need someone to offer leadership. That’s where someone with a Master’s degree in Engineering Management can come in.

Engineering management programs strengthen leadership skills by enhancing your ability to mobilize people, finances and technology. This way, you can evaluate, innovate and stand out in the engineering industry.

In doing so, you can identify the right style of leadership that needs to be implemented on a specific engineering project to ensure success.

When you graduate from a master’s program, you will gain deep discipline knowledge that makes it easier to follow a step-by-step procedure in any sort of design scenario.

As an engineering leader, you can spearhead the impact in engineering trends and influence future engineering jobs through hiring, training and recruiting strategies.

3. Can Help You Feel like You’re Making a Difference

Feeling alive at work is something that every employee wants regardless of their profession.

When you are working for the greater good, you are more likely to be motivated, optimistic and make educated decisions.

While the hefty paycheck is reason enough to take an engineering management course, the benefits of getting a degree go further than that.

With the right skills and qualifications and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management as well, you can solve collective problems such as the challenges of hybrid cloud computing.

As a matter of fact, engineers have played a critical part during the current pandemic. According to the National Academy of Science Engineering Medicine, engineers were the catalyst in enhancing COVID-19 diagnostic exams.

When you feel as if you are working for the greater good, you will take pride in your profession knowing that your job is associated with a genuine social cause.

4. Allows You to Become a Better Business Person

When you get to the bottom of it, engineering management is all about business.

You need to not only take care of engineering and technical personnel but also communicate with people that create and revise budgeting plans to ensure that projects do not go over budget.

With engineering management, you can translate the language of your engineering discipline into the world of business and industry.

As a result, you can establish a better cohesion with individuals making commercial and financial decisions about the future of their projects.

Using the right skills, you can turn engineering ideas into financially viable projects that build shareholder values for the company you work for.

Engineering management also helps you learn how to design for profitability and commercialization.

This, in turn, results in the successful dissemination of engineering knowledge and putting it into the hands of people who will use it.

How to get started in engineering management?

Now that you have a definite understanding of the career paths for engineering management graduates, you might be wondering how to get started.

This can be especially challenging if you work a full-time job, have a family to take care of and cannot take time off work.

Plus, the costs of going back to university to get a Master’s degree in Engineering Management can be expensive. This is true, especially, if you are still trying to pay off your remaining student loans.

Fortunately, you do not have to worry about all that when you are enrolling in a master of Engineering Management online degree.

With online learning, you can save a considerable amount of money. At many universities such as Kettering University Online, the cost of tuition for an online program is often slightly cheaper than the cost of the on-campus version of the same program.

Even in the circumstances where this is not the case, getting your Master’s degree in Engineering Management online can save you financial strain in other ways.

You will no longer have to pay for a meal plan or housing on campus, and you won’t have the added cost of gas for driving back and forth from the campus.

Most of your learning materials are also offered in a digital format, which means that you will no longer have to spend money for books.

Whatever way you look at it, taking an engineering management course is extremely affordable.

On top of that, it allows for flexible learning. When you sign up for an online engineering management course, you get to fit your education around your life and not the other way around.

With a traditional on-campus engineering management program, classes are held at a scheduled time, but when you take it online, you can attend classes whenever it is most convenient for you.

If you like to study in silence, you can take your engineering management classes once everyone has gone to bed. If you are a morning person, you can wake up early and go to class before heading to work.

Are you buried with work on Thursday and cannot attend classes? You can go on the weekends instead.

When you can choose a time to learn, you increase the likelihood of taking the knowledge right in and applying it in real-life scenarios.

Sounds excellent, but are online engineering management degrees legit? Yes, they are. In fact, 83% of US employers believe that online degree programs have similar quality to campus-based experiences.

How do you get engineering management degree?

Depending on your chosen institution, admission requirements will differ, but here are some of the things you need to prepare to enroll in a prestigious online engineering university such as Kettering University Online:

  • Official transcripts of records from all academic institutions attended
  • Undergraduate degree of ABET-accredited engineering programs
  • Resume
  • Letters of recommendation

Master of engineering management courses online usually consists of 40 credits and includes at least 10 courses.

Depending on the academic institution you choose the average duration to complete a master’s degree program in Engineering Management is two years.

What does the curriculum look like?

The quality and reputation of an online Master’s in Engineering Management program will depend on its course curriculum.

While it will differ from one university to another, the course curriculum will usually combine core business principles with graduate-level engineering education.

In the degree program, students will learn the basics of management, behavioral science and quantitative analysis. They will also get to pick advanced engineering electives in their area of specialization.

For a cutting-edge university such as Kettering University Online, you will also have a chance to select a three-course graduate certificate in operations management, supply chain management, global leadership or healthcare management.

Among the courses you will most likely take while working towards your

Courses in Engineering Management:

1. Enterprise information system models

In this course, you will learn about the different roles of information systems in organizational relationships. The primary focus of the course is to understand how organizations are implementing processes globally using powerful software tools.

You will learn how tools such as product lifecycle management, customer relationship management, supply chain management and enterprise resource planning help organizations transform and achieve strategic objectives.

2. Ethics and practice of engineering

The importance of ethics in engineering is too hard to ignore. As an engineering manager, you must ensure that your team members are safe when performing work.

This means you need to see to it that your engineers and other contractors are working with standard and approved materials and adhere to engineering procedures.

This course will tackle the code of ethics for engineers and case studies on conflict of interest.

You will encounter comprehensive discussions in engineering management responsibilities and environmental considerations during the course.

3. People and Organizational Management

This course aims to prepare you for managing positions in manufacturing and engineering industries.

You will tackle important concepts and problems concerning the leadership and management of engineers.

Topics discussed will include persuasion, ethics, HR issues, lean thinking, business leadership, communication and change management.

4. Marketing Management

In this course, you can learn how marketing plays a vital role in connecting engineering firms with one another.

It will cover basic management topics and the best practices in managing supply chains, market relationships and strategy development.

Case studies and real-world samples will be used throughout the course to better explain complex issues and concepts.

5. Financial Management

Financial management is a two-part course that tackles the use of financial leverage and theoretical valuation of stocks and bonds.

In this course, you will learn how you can use financial leverage and take advantage of working capital management.

It also stresses the importance of legal and ethical leadership for engineering management students that aim to work in the financial sector.

Enroll in an engineering management degree today

Online learning has taken the engineering world by storm over the last decade. Gone are the days when the only way to earn a master’s degree in Engineering Management was by physically being on a university campus. You can start working towards earning your master’s degree today from the comfort of your own home.

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Copywriting vs Content Writing

If you’re new to freelance copywriting, you may not know the difference between copywriting and content writing.

While both require creativity and strategy, they’re different formats of writing with different purposes and goals. 

A successful business needs both to thrive. 

But which one should you pursue a career in? 

Copywriter or content writer? 

I’ll explain, bit by bit, the differences and benefits of each, so that you can make an informed decision. 

What Is Copywriting? 

Let’s start with the basics. 

Because there seems to be a bit of a gray area shrouding over the definition of copywriting. 

Copywriting is a combo of psychology, business strategy, and creativity. 

Pop them all in a blender over ice and, in the form of written language, you’ve got copywriting. 

Essentially, anything a business uses to convert is copywriting.

But this doesn’t necessarily need to be financial conversion. 

Converting website visitors into warm leads through an opt-in box: that’s still copywriting. 

If the aim of the piece is to convert, it’s copy. 

What Is Content Writing? 

Content writing is not copywriting. 

Content writing is anything that is written with the aim of entertaining, educating, motivating, or inspiring. 

You’ll spot content writing in blog articles, your white papers (or lead magnets), case studies, and/or your social media captions. 

The Difference Between Copywriting and Content Writing 

So, what’s the difference? 

In a nutshell, copywriting is assembled to convert. The whole point is to grow your (or your client’s)  brand.

Content writing, on the other hand, is about providing value for your reader. It doesn’t aim to sell or convert. 

Content writing does, however, deserve a place in anyone’s marketing strategy. 

Because, realistically, if you are gaining the trust of your readers and dominating the industry with subject knowledge and value, your products or services will be seen as more reliable. 

With content writing, you’re playing the long game. 

And if you nail your content marketing strategy, it can become a lead generation machine all by itself. 

With copywriting, the aim to convert is far quicker. Specifically when looking at direct response copywriting.  

The Difference Between a Copywriter and a Content Writer 

Now you know the difference between copywriting and content writing. So, are you destined to a career in freelance copywriting? Or are you better suited to content creation? 

Here’s the truth: 

  • You can, if you want to, be both. 
  • You can label yourself a copywriter and a content writer. There’s nothing stopping you.
  • But to do that, you need to be crystal clear about the differences between them.
  • Not to mention the various techniques, strategies, and approaches you need to take for each. 
  • Take blog writing, for example.
  • That falls under content writing. 
  • You’ll need to have an understanding of SEO, focusing on keywords, meta-data, and more. 
  • While a copywriter – if they offer website copy – should have a basic knowledge of SEO, they don’t need the intricate subject knowledge that a content writer would need. 

My advice?

If you’re just starting out, pick one: copywriting or content writing. 

Because you’ll need to learn a whole lot about content writing that they don’t teach you in most copywriting courses. And why would they? They are different formats of writing, after all. 

What a Copywriter Needs to Know

If you want a successful career in copywriting, here are some of the things you’ll need to know:

  • A solid understanding of psychology 
  • A wider grasp of buyer behavior 
  • The ability to follow formulas and tried-and-tested structures
  • How to research people, competitors, and the market of your clients 
  • To be able to adapt your writing style to fit the brand’s voice
  • An understanding of how people interact with different deliverables of copywriting (ie: how do people interact with a website? An email?) 
  • How to split test and measure results 

What a Content Writer Needs to Know

If you’re considering a career in content writing, the following are just a few components you’ll need to master: 

  • An in-depth understanding of SEO 
  • Excellent topical research skills 
  • The ability to proofread larger documents 
  • A great knowledge of social media and the latest trends
  • Originality – there’s so much content out there. You need to appease Google’s keywords, but you need to do so in a way that’s fresh and exciting. Not easy when 4.4 million blogs are posted every day.

How to Choose Between Freelance Copywriting and Content Writing

By now, you’ve got a pretty good understanding of the differences between content and copy, plus a few requirements for a career in each. 

  • how do you choose? 
  • Which is a better path to walk down? 
  • When it comes down to it, the choice is yours. And there is no right or wrong answer. 

Become a freelance copywriter or a content writer and the possibilities are endless.

Dominate your niche, grow and expand. Teach new content or copywriters. Launch your very own agency. Whatever long-term goals you’re looking for, consider them in the realm of possibilities.

Also, think carefully about the deliverables you prefer to create. 

If you love writing blogs, then that’s another reason to opt for content writing.

If you’re all about seeing results that reflect your hard work, and you’re obsessed with creating ad-copy, then that’s a pretty solid reason to start building your copywriting portfolio.

You need to weigh up:

  • What you enjoy writing
  • What you don’t enjoy writing 
  • Your picture-perfect future 
  • Your niche you intend to choose 
  • Your skills
  • Your subject knowledge (or willingness to learn) 

Copywriting or Content Writing: Both Are Amazing

When all’s said and done, whether you start your copywriting business or decide content writing is the best plan for you, you’re heading into a community that’s all about support. 

You’re here because you fundamentally love to write. That’ll give you a solid head start, no matter which route you choose to take. 

So, if you’re self-motivated, driven, and have a natural way with words, then copywriting or content writing is a great fit. Now, go get ‘em!

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Liz Slyman

Liz Slyman

Over the past decade, Liz Slyman has worked as a copywriter and digital marketing executive for a multitude of companies from startups to mid-sized businesses to working as the VP of marketing for award-winning, platinum-selling artists and is now teaching copywriting courses. Leveraging an understanding of the nuance of language in marketing, Liz founded Amplihigher, a content marketing and copywriting agency, designed to connect consumers to companies in a way that results in next-level brand expansion.
What are the 3 growth strategies? What are the 3 main strategies in business? What are the 4 points for growth strategy? What is the best strategies for business growth? What are the key growth strategies? What are the 4 types of business strategies? What are the three 3 strategies for competitive advantage?

3 Key Take Away for the perfect business growth strategy

Growth is essential for any business, especially those that are ready to scale up. Regardless of whether your goal is to sell more products or expand your market, you have to ensure it provides sustainable business growth in the long run. To do so, you’ll need a business growth strategy that’s perfect for you. 

Is there a “perfect” business growth strategy?

No, there isn’t a strategic growth planning that’s perfect for everyone. It’s important to remember that every business is different. Even those in the same industry will have varying customers, products, and goals, so one strategy won’t always work. 

However, finding the perfect one for you isn’t impossible to achieve. 

The best way for you to grow your business is to create a growth strategy that’s specifically suited to your company’s unique characteristics. It may take a little while to put together, but it’s better to put in the effort early on. 

3 key things to remember in creating your business growth strategy

Preparing a business for growth can be overwhelming, since it’s a big change that’ll require a lot of time and resources. However, you shouldn’t let that paralyse you. Take it one step at a time. 

To help you get started, here are the three things you shouldn’t forget and helpful tools you can use along the way. 

Reassess the internal and external factors affecting your business. 

When you fully understand your business’s place in your market, you see the bigger picture such as the different ways you can move your business forward or the various obstacles your business might face.

Reassessing the internal and external factors affecting your business is an important step to take when you’re eyeing to grow further. You want to identify the business’s strengths you can focus on, as well as the weaknesses you still need to minimise. You also need to be aware of opportunities available for your business or what threats it could face.

A SWOT Analysis is a useful tool in this situation. You’ll simply list down what are the internal strengths and weaknesses of your business, and what external opportunities and threats are out there. With this list, you can figure out how to maximise your strengths and opportunities or manage weaknesses and threats easier. 

Think ahead and prepare for crises that may come your way.

While you may be optimistic about growth, it’s still important to prepare for the worst. Expanding a business will bring new risks and expenses, so you have to make sure you won’t be crippled when a disaster comes your way. 

Of course, no one knows what the future holds. There are several crisis situations that could happen to your business. You’ll want to have a plan ready if it does occur. 

So, how do you prepare your business for the unknown? Try to do a Crisis Strategy Assessment so that you’re not overwhelmed by all the “what ifs” and scenarios. 

You start a Crisis Strategy Assessment by defining first what is considered a “crisis” for you and your business. From there, you consider its impact on the world, the industry, and your revenue and operations. This in-depth reflection allows you to process a potential crisis with a clear mind and make smarter decisions.

Craft a structured and actionable plan for your business growth strategy.

Like how you began a business, growing it will require a detailed plan. Your vision or idea has to be broken into objectives and steps before putting it into action. 

Since you’re taking on a new direction with growing your business, it should be clear to all your stakeholders why, what, and how. After all, you won’t be the only one growing the business. You have partners, investors, and employees who need to be aligned with the business’s goal.

MOST Analysis is the recommended business tool to use for creating a strategic direction. With MOST Analysis, you specifically define your mission and objectives first so that you are grounded with focused targets. You’ll then complement these with the right strategies and tactics for effective execution. 

Maximising the benefit of business tools available

Each of the tools mentioned above will greatly help in finding your perfect business growth strategy. There are many more business tools you can use, but these three will help get the ball moving. 

However, you should remember to use them wisely. Get your team involved in the planning, especially those that have hands-on knowledge of certain aspects of the business. You can also consider outsourcing to experts who have been supporting businesses successfully. 

Boardroom Advisors has Part-time Strategy Directors you can work with. They provide seasoned professionals that can give you an objective perspective and the right advice to grow your company. They also have several resources and tools to support you in your journey to grow as a business owner.

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Important Aspects of Running an Online Business

An online business is anything that occurs over the Internet. This could be anything from buying and selling goods to specific companies. However, in this article, we will discuss the important aspects of running an online business. Then, we’ll talk about how to make the most of your promotional activities, manage your social media accounts, and manage your operational costs. Having a clear definition of your target audience is essential for success, and this is the first step in creating a sustainable online business.

Defining your audience

The first step in defining your target audience is to understand who you are not targeting. This is particularly helpful when advertising through search engines. If you are attempting to market exclusively to women, for example, you are excluding half of the population. The same logic applies to marketing to seniors. If your target audience consists solely of business professionals, you are excluding half of the population. Likewise, if your product is geared towards students, you are excluding half of the population.

The second step in defining your audience for online business is to determine who is already interested in your product or service, which can be done through customer research, social media interactions, or even guest posts on other people’s blogs and websites. For example, if you sell financial software, you may find that many of your potential customers are searching for “paycheck stub” templates online. You can use this information to determine which groups have the greatest potential to buy your products or services. In addition to defining your target audience, you should also research your competition to better understand what they’re already doing online.

Managing your social media accounts

How to Manage All Your Social Media Accounts in One Place - Blog - Shift

5 Steps to Managing Multiple Social Media Accounts
  1. Document your social media strategy
  2. Utilize social media management software
  3. Develop an editorial calendar
  4. Monitor social media activity and engage with your audience
  5. Analyze your social media strategy

Managing your social media accounts for online business is important for keeping your audience engaged. Larger companies typically sell different products and services. The buying cycle for these consumers is different. Managing separate social media accounts can streamline the buying process and cater to the varying needs of separate audiences. Here are five steps to follow when managing your social media accounts. You may want to use all three to your advantage. First, analyze your engagement metrics. This will help you determine which areas of your social media strategy need to be tweaked.

Next, determine what type of content you want to share on each platform. It’s better to share content that engages the audience than to post content that will not be viewed by many. Create a social media calendar for your business that reflects the brand identity. A schedule allows you to keep track of what content to publish and when. Managing your social media accounts for online business is easier than you think!

Managing your operational costs

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The key to increasing your profit margins is to lower your operational costs. While overhead costs are necessary for a business to survive, you can lower your overall costs by reducing them. A simple way to do this is to cut back on unnecessary business expenses. One way to reduce costs is to review and renegotiate your current supplier agreements. You may be able to negotiate for better terms and an early payment discount. Never let a cost negotiation go to waste. Technology-based services tend to have a lower cost than other businesses.

Operating costs are the sum of all expenses that go into running a business. These expenses should be low relative to your revenue. Typically, operational costs include office leases, electricity, and employee payroll. Managing these expenses allows you to cut down on waste and increase your profits. QuickBooks accounting software can help you identify unnecessary costs and pinpoint areas where you can cut back. Saving money is always good for the bottom line, because every dollar you save can be reinvested back into your business.

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Want to Study Multimedia? Here Are Some Exciting Ideas for Your Career

Multimedia is a varied and fascinating subject. It is particularly attractive to creative people who want to channel their unique skills into productive and lucrative ventures. Perhaps you are already studying Multimedia, or maybe you have only just started to consider it as an option. Either way, it is important to have an idea as to what you want to use your qualification for once you have obtained it. Many people study Multimedia while working so they can fund their studies and use what they have learned in the program to enhance their ongoing career prospects. Here you will find information about what Multimedia is, what it’s like to study Multimedia, and which job opportunities are out there.

What is Multimedia?

Multimedia is self-explanatory in that it involves a wide variety of media, such as digital communication, print, video, audio, and many others. Unlike programs that focus on these areas specifically, Multimedia allows students to explore their interests and follow their passions in a way that guides them towards a lasting and successful career. If you study for an M.A. in Multimedia, then you are setting yourself up for many different job opportunities further down the line. Multimedia programs take into account the fact that current technology is ever evolving and that students must learn not only how to use current software but also develop a mindset that allows them to continually learn as this software change over time.

What is it Like to Study Multimedia?

There are different ways for students to participate in a Multimedia program depending on their choice of school and the programs on offer there. For example, some schools can offer students online programs that make it easier for them to study while working. If you want to continue to earn a living while doing your studies, there are options available to you. It’s just about finding the right school for your needs.

What Do You Learn by Studying Multimedia?

One of the most useful parts of studying Multimedia is the opportunity to focus on learning the various software and technologies that are most relevant to the industries you plan to enter. For example, a Multimedia program will teach you how to use software such as Adobe Premier, Photoshop, and InDesign. These are incredibly helpful tools to have when looking for work that capitalizes on your Multimedia knowledge. You may also learn about how to create websites, produce content for different online platforms, and target your content toward relevant audiences. It is a hugely diverse and practical program thats main intention is to help its students go on to achieve highly in their chosen careers. The nature of working with Multimedia is to do with flexibility and curiosity, since the technological and economic landscape is always shifting and changing. With a qualification in Multimedia, you learn to adapt to changing forces and make the most out of the unexpected.

Which Jobs Are Best for a Multimedia Graduate?

As already mentioned, Multimedia is an incredibly varied and practical subject since it focuses on providing students with a diverse skillset and the ability to learn for themselves. This means that there are also a wide variety of potential careers out there for graduates of Multimedia. Here are just a few examples of some of the career paths that Multimedia students can pursue.

Communication

Since the many forms of media that a Multimedia student learns to use are primarily intended to communicate ideas and provide clarity, a career in communications is a natural step. Being able to accurately convey concepts and solve problems by communicating clearly and effectively is a huge part of what a good Multimedia graduate can offer the professional world. Communication is such an essential part of every industry and business, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities for Multimedia students who have what it takes to succeed.

Marketing

Marketing is another form of communication in that it intends to convey an idea with the purpose of encouraging an exchange. Marketing can come in many different shapes and sizes, from social media campaigns to billboards to television adverts. A Multimedia graduate will have learned the necessary skills to develop convincing and attractive marketing campaigns.

Public Relations

Public relations is another crucial component of running a successful business, which is why a Multimedia graduate in this role is so useful. The confident communication and problem-solving skills needed to successfully maintain a positive relationship with the public are taught to Multimedia students throughout their studies.

Government

Being in government is all about communicating in different ways. Multimedia skills allow a person to understand complex ideas and convey them in simple terms to people who might not necessarily have understood them beforehand. Government jobs are all about figuring out which ideas are best for everyone, which is another skill many Multimedia students will pick up during their studies.

Business

If you are keen on starting your very own business, having a Multimedia background can give you an edge over the competition. You will be able to research your market, create a compelling brand, and adapt to unexpected market fluctuations with ease. Your knowledge of different types of software makes it easier for you to develop ideas without having to outsource and waste hard-earned money since you can rely upon your own expertise.

Journalism

A Multimedia student learns to be convincing and this makes them ideal for a career in journalism. This might mean submitting articles to newspapers or writing for online columns. You might also find work helping to format and design the layout of different publications with your knowledge of the necessary software.

Is Multimedia Right for You?

It can be difficult to decide whether or not a subject is right for you, especially if it is as full of varied opportunities as Multimedia. If you are a creative, curious person with the ability to learn new skills and adapt to change, Multimedia might be perfect for you.